NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON ILLEGAL MINING AND CHROME WASH PLANTS

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, chaired by Hon. Mpho Khunou, has called for urgent and coordinated interventions to address illegal mining, unregulated chrome wash plants, environmental degradation and regulatory gaps in the province.

This follows a stakeholder engagement held in Madibeng with representatives from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Madibeng Local Municipality and other stakeholders.

The engagement revealed that more than 200 chrome wash plants have been identified in the region, with many reportedly operating without full compliance with environmental and water-use licensing requirements. Stakeholders highlighted concerns over the environmental impact of these operations, including water pollution, land degradation and risks to surrounding communities.
The Committee further noted concerns that illegally mined chrome ore is increasingly being processed through wash plants and transported through formal supply chains, making it difficult to trace its origin and allowing illegally sourced minerals to enter legitimate markets.

Stakeholders also raised concerns about slow prosecution processes, challenges in enforcement coordination and the effectiveness of existing structures established to combat illegal mining, including the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) and the reported disbandment of the Operation Vala Umgodi Task Team. The Committee resolved to request detailed reports on the disbandment of the task team, its impact on enforcement efforts and measures to strengthen intergovernmental coordination.

The Committee welcomed Madibeng Local Municipality’s announcement that it will implement an environmental permitting by-law from 1 July 2026 to regulate chrome wash plants, transporters and related activities. However, Members expressed concern that legislative loopholes continue to be exploited and called for national legislative reforms to strengthen environmental regulation, improve mineral traceability and enhance accountability across the mining value chain.

“What emerged from this engagement is that the challenge facing the North West Province extends far beyond illegal mining alone. We are dealing with a complex value chain involving chrome wash plants, transportation networks, environmental degradation and regulatory loopholes that require a coordinated response from all spheres of government. The people of the North West must benefit from the province’s mineral wealth. Instead, weak enforcement, environmental degradation and regulatory shortcomings are robbing communities of opportunities that should contribute to their development and future prosperity,” said Hon. Khunou.

Hon. Khunou further stressed that government institutions must move beyond identifying legislative gaps and implement measurable interventions that deliver tangible results.
The Committee resolved to intensify its oversight through further engagements with key stakeholders, including Madibeng Local Municipality, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the South African Police Service, and will engage relevant national parliamentary portfolio committees to advocate for legislative amendments relating to chrome transportation, regulation of wash plants, rehabilitation obligations and enforcement measures.

The Committee will continue monitoring developments on a quarterly basis to ensure that commitments made by stakeholders translate into meaningful action and that affected communities are protected.

Ends.

Issued on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism – Hon. Mpho Khunou
For media enquiries please contact Ms. Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 0628.

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